Succession Debate Rages As MDC Fumbles.
While the MDC fumbles, it looks like Jonathan Moyo’s prediction that change will come from within may becoming, sadly a reality.
ZANU-PF strongman and party spokesman Nathan Shamuyarira sparked controversy when he was quoted in a state-run weekly saying that the consitituion might be amended to have the presidential elections run in 2010. VOA’s Studio 7 for Zimbabwe says its unnamed sources from within are determined that Mugabe rules until then.
Although Shamu later claimed he was misinterpreted, JOURNOS should raise the issue of a successor. Although the MDC says it will fight the amendment, we all know that their contributions in parliament amount to nothing
ZimJournos Arise is running the following articles in the media for more debate and analysis.
Makoni Dragged In Succession Debate Again

Reporting By The Standard

(Harare)
RETIRED General Solomon Mujuru, believed to be the brains behind the meteoric rise of his spouse, Joice, has reportedly lined up former Finance Minister Simba Makoni as a possible successor to President Robert Mugabe.

Zanu PF insiders said the move followed realisation by Mujuru and members of his faction that Joice had failed to present herself as a political heavyweight capable of stamping her authority on the deeply divided Zanu PF.

Sources said Makoni would be presented as an alternative candidate in the event that Emmerson Mnangagwa, another leading contender, emerged as the favourite in the race to succeed Mugabe.

A Harare-based member of the ruling party’s supreme organ, the Politburo said: "Since her elevation to the position of Vice President, the state media was instructed to keep the spotlight on Joice to portray her as a rising star but her handlers now fear she lacks the charisma and intellect to lead an organisation like Zanu PF."

Even more exasperating for her handlers was the fact that she has failed to portray herself as a serious contender to lead the divided party.
"Joice has regularly officiated at functions to open fowl runs of all things and in the eyes of the very patriarchal ruling party stalwarts, that is not being ‘serious’," said the Politburo member.
As a result, Mujuru’s faction is now courting Makoni as an alternative candidate ahead of Joice, said the sources.
"In Makoni, the General’s faction now sees a lot of advantages including the fact that he obviously has more intellectual stamina than Joice and that in addition to having more connections internationally, he can bring a face of sanity to Zanu PF," added the politburo member.

The behind the scenes moves to push Makoni as a possible replacement for Joice have already caught the attention of the business community which is following closely the succession race.
In a recent commentary on the economic and political situation in all African countries, Standard Bank International quoted a report of the Institute of War and Peace Reporting (IWPR), which in part reads:
"There’s been a new development in the struggle to succeed Robert Mugabe, with reports that powerful retired army commander General Solomon Mujuru has ditched his wife, Vice President Joice Mujuru, as his ideal successor and is now opting for former finance minister Simba Makoni."

Makoni who has been media-friendly in the past was surprisingly hostile when asked by The Standard to comment on reports on the latest succession developments, saying "I have no response to your questions".

When asked if he had presidential ambitions he said: "Ndati handina mhinduro (I have no response)."
Despite repeated efforts General Mujuru and Joice were not reachable for comment.

However, sources in the ruling party said the divisions on the succession issue had prompted officials to press for a postponement of the presidential election.

A source said although Mugabe had encouraged aspirants to openly debate the succession, many were terrified to do so.

"Emmerson Mnangagwa and Thenjiwe Lesabe who aspired to be vice presidents learnt the hard way in 2004 after they publicly declared their intentions and were subsequently elbowed out of the race although they had more support among the grassroots."

According to Zanu PF senior officials, the Mujuru faction is still wary of the challenge posed by Mnangagwa and is pushing for the postponement of the presidential elections while they put their house in order.

Meanwhile SABC News Reports That Mugabe Has Opened Discussion On Succession

Mugabe, has thrown debate surrounding his successor wide open saying any member from his ruling Zanu (PF) party is free to contest

The statement casts a cloud on the possible ascendancy of Joyce Mujuru, the vice president, and opens the race for other heavyweights and dark horses alike.

President Mugabe is not backing any particular candidate for Zimbabwe's top job should he throw in the towel in 2008. The Zimbabwean leader told a recent gathering that party members will decide at the annual conference that is two months away.

Political analysts are divided on the interpretations of Mugabe's weekend comments.Simon Badza, acting chairman of the political science faculty at the University of Zimbabwe, says the race to succeed the Zimbabwean leader remains a two-horse one. "In my opinion it's either going to be comrade Mnangagwa or Mai Mujuru, the current vice president, as both candidates have liberation war credentials.

There are outsiders being touted as possible successors to President Mugabe in diplomatic and public circles. These include Simba Makoni, the former SADC secretary general, and Strive Masiyiwa, the high flying telecoms businessman," says Badza. Whoever wins the ticket to represent the ruling party in December is sure to fight it out with Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara, leaders of the split opposition Movement for Democratic Change, come presidential polls in 2008.
Edited by Zim Journalists Arise